Air plants, also known as Tillandsia, are an incredibly unique and beautiful species of plant that require minimal care and provide a unique look to any home or office. 

Here at Garden Pie, we will discuss how to grow and care for air plants. 

What You Need to Know About Air Plants

Air plants are a type of epiphytic plants, meaning they are plants that live on other plants and receive their nutrients from the air, rain, and debris that collects around them. They do not require soil to survive, and instead get their nutrients from the air and water. This makes them incredibly easy to care for, as they require minimal maintenance and attention. Air plants are also incredibly resilient and can survive in a variety of climates. 

Below are important information you need to know about Air Plants:

• Name: air plant, Tillandsia spp.
• Height/length: 0.1m-6m, depending on variety.
• Plant type: epiphytic bromeliad, perennial.
• Climate: warm, frost-free.
• Soil: none – their roots cling to rocks or tree branches for support. They can also be freestanding.
• Position: filtered light to full sun, depending on the species.
• Foliage: slender, narrow or flat leaves that may be smooth or covered with fine hairs (trichomes); mostly green, but the more hairy the foliage, the more silvery the appearance.
• Flowering and fruiting: small tubular, funnel-shaped pink, red, purple, yellow, orange or white flowers.
• Feeding: mist-spray fortnightly during warmer months with a weak organic liquid fertiliser (diluted to one-quarter strength).
• Watering: submerge in water once a week, less in winter. Mist-spray every few days in hot/dry conditions.

Appearance and Characteristics of Air Plants

Air plants come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They can be small, thin, and spiky, or large and bushy. Air plants range in color from bright, fluorescent greens to muted pastels and grays. 

They have thin leaves that are covered with scales and trichomes, which help the plants absorb moisture from the air. They have colorful blooms that come in shades of blue, pink, purple, yellow and white.

Air plants are also incredibly lightweight, making them perfect for hanging or wall decor. 

How to Decorate With Air Plants

Air plants are incredibly versatile, making them perfect for decorating your home or office. They can be hung from the wall in macrame hangers, placed in terrariums or other vessels, or placed on shelves or tables. They can also be used to brighten up bookshelves, coffee tables and even bathrooms. Air plants are also great for adding a unique touch to your garden or outdoor space. 

How to Grow Air Plants

Air plants are incredibly easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. They don't require soil, and they’re typically low-maintenance. 

All you need is a bright, indirect light source, adequate air circulation, occasional watering and a place for your air plant to hang or rest. You should also mist your air plant every few days to keep it hydrated. 

Caring for Air Plants

Air plants require minimal care, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. Air plants should be placed in a bright, indirect light source and they should be misted every few days. You should also move your air plant around every few weeks to ensure that it gets an even amount of light. 

They do need occasional water and fertilizer. To water air plants, you should mist them with a spray bottle or submerge them in a bowl of water for 10-15 minutes. Allow the plants to completely dry before putting them back in their container. Air plants should be fertilized once a month with a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer.

How Often Should You Water and Feed Air Plants ?

Air plants should be misted with water every few days to keep them hydrated. You should also fertilize your air plant every few weeks with an air plant fertilizer. This will help to keep your air plant healthy and prevent it from becoming nutrient deficient. 

Diseases and Pests That Affect Air Plants

Air plants can be susceptible to pests such as mealybugs, scale , thrips and aphids. These pests can be removed by spraying the air plant with a solution of water and insecticidal soap or with a pesticide. Air plants can also be affected by fungal diseases, which can be treated with a fungicidal spray. 

How to Propagate Air Plants

Air plants can be propagated by taking a cutting from an existing plant and placing it in a bright, indirect light source. The cutting should be misted with water every few days and fertilized every few weeks. Once the cutting has taken root, it can be moved to its permanent location. 

What this means is that you'll need to separate the offsets from the mother plant. The offsets can then be planted in moist soil or mounted on driftwood, rocks or other surfaces. Once the offsets have rooted, they can be transplanted into a container.